Category Archives: States

Gujarat Tourism has been conducting multi-city roadshows across India to promote its tourism offerings at the Statue of Unity in Kevadia. They have so far conducted B2B meets at Chennai, Bengaluru, Raipur, Kolkata, Patna, Nagpur, Lucknow, Indore, and Bhopal. The state department is also participating in WTM Virtual to promote Statue of Unity among other things.

Satpal Maharaj, Tourism Minister, Uttarakhand, has said that “Our Government is considering bringing culinary art at a front line of the state’s tourism sector. If the hidden treasure of cuisine tourism is explored and implemented efficiently and effectively then within a very short period, the state will place itself as the culinary hub in the global map. Uttarakhand has a repository of polyherbs, spices that are known for its therapeutic use and used by the Rishis and exponents of the Ayurveda for centuries. The treasure trove of immunity-boosting delicacies of Uttarakhand can derive huge benefits from Healthy Cuisine tourism.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated the Sarnath light and sound show in Varanasi among many other projects through video conference. In his address, he said that tourism is also a part of the development plan of the city and countryside in Varanasi. He also stressed that the connectivity of Varanasi has always been a top priority of the Government. Also, he added that new infrastructure is being constructed so that the people of Kashi and the tourists don’t waste their time in traffic jams.

Around 34% of Indians are still wary of travel, saying they would not feel comfortable traveling until a vaccine for COVID-19 is available, and the same sentiment is seen worldwide, according to the Amex Trendex, a trend report from American Express. It also revealed that 32% Indians already dreaming about their next holiday and 1 in 2 (50%) Indian adults are interested in receiving a trip in 2021 as a gift this holiday season.  They also marked a strong preference and were willing to pay extra for lodging and hotels that offered private and/or socially distanced amenities, eg: socially distanced spas (49%) and private pools (49%). 45% of Indian respondents said they are saving more money for their next trip as a result of the pandemic.

Tourism Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Muttamsetti Srinivasa Rao has said that the state government plans to establish 7-star and 5-star hotels at 12 locations across the state. These locations are Gandikota, Kakinada, Pichukalanka, Horsley Hills, Nagarjuna Sagar, Suryalanka beach, Orvakal, Kalingapatnam, Rushikonda, Bhavani Island, Tirupati-Perur and Polavaram. To attract investors, roadshows will also be conducted.  

Randhir Singh Vaghela, IATO Chairman (Gujarat Chapter), says, “The Statue of Unity is becoming a great destination for tourism. And the latest development of seaplanes being launched on October 31 has added another feather to its cap. Believe me, there are so many activities added at the Statue of Unity that it is now a minimum two-night destination and we are hoping that it will soon become one of the global destinations that every tourist would like to visit.”

The ‘Tent City-Kutch’ in the Rann of Kutch is all set to open to welcome guests from November 12. The Tent City-Kutch offers a unique chance to visit one of the most beautiful and breath-taking locations in Gujarat – the White Rann of Kutch. Spread over 7,500 sq. km, the White Rann is one of the largest salt deserts in the world. “The Tent City-Kutch is spread over 5 lakh sq mt, and will open for guests from November 12 to February 28. It comprises more than 350 tents, which have been set up at Dhordo village near the White Rann,” said Bhavik Sheth, Finance and Operation Manager, Lallooji & Sons.

Beach shacks in Goa are likely to start opening from November, according to Nikhil Desai, Managing Director, Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC). “Shack allotment process across the state is already underway and we are expecting them to open in November,” he said. According to reports, the GTDC earlier this week started demarcating Goa’s north coastal belt which includes Candolim, Calangute and, Anjuna. It is believed that the demarcation process in South Goa will happen after that.

Offering a boost to domestic air travel, Maharashtra Government has suspended quarantine rules for arriving domestic passengers. According to the state’s unlock order, domestic passengers will be checked for COVID-19 symptoms. A symptom-free passenger can go back home without the indelible home quarantine stamp, which was a must earlier.

The Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) and Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) have signed an MoU to open doors for tourists to the BMC headquarters on weekends in a few months’ time. Tourism Minister of Maharashtra, Aditya Thackeray on Twitter informed that not just tourists, but many Mumbaikars would also love to see the building of the BMC HQ, the way Mumbai is run from in here and seek inspiration from the historic figures that built the city from here.